lar vein of each of two dogs. Both died. In a similar experiment with a third dog, he injected only one drachm, and the unfortunate brute recovered on the third day. We can glean no useful results from these unfeeling experiments. Those who practise them on a large scale, must, we have often thought, approximate in nature much more nearly than ordinary men to the Yahoos of Houyhnhnm land, who were remarkable both for their filthiness and their cruel disposition.*

In small doses frequently repeated, iodine acts as an excitant of the whole system, but primarily and more especially does it affect the digestive mucous membrane. When continued injudiciously, it often, according to our own experience, gives rise to a peculiar kind of fever, characterized by breathlessness, palpitation, a very quick and weak pulse, urgent thirst, and a sense of extreme weakness, which last symptom is that of which the patient most complains. The symptoms in fact resemble very closely those of mercurial erethism. They may be removed in a few days by discontinuing the use of the iodine, and prescribing small doses of ammonia.

After discussing the question, "is iodine a cumulative medicine," and failing to come to any positive conclusion thereupon, Dr. Cogswell treats of its different formulæ and the manner of their application; and then proceeds to consider the several diseases in which iodine has been administered with advantage. His authorities are selected with industry and judgment, and he has the rare merit of not being prolix. To analyse this part of the work, which is itself an analysis of almost all that has been written on the subject, would be difficult; and as it does not contain any new observations, we pass it over with this remark, that we are firmly con-vinced the general curative properties of iodine have been greatly exaggerated. As to its efficacy in what are called "nervous diseases," we believe it gene

• Suum cuique is a maxim which we approve of so highly, that we have often had it in our mind to write a book, expressly on purpose to shew how many pretended modern discoveries in medicine may be traced back to the older authors. The above allusion to Gulliver's Travels reminds us that Dr. O'Beirne (who needed as little as most men to claim another's merit) has never acknowledged (which he ought in justice to have done) that he borrowed his plan of defecation from one of the professors in the grand academy of Lagado, whose mode of curing a colic is thus described. "He had a large pair of bellows, with a long slender muzzle of ivory; this he conveyed eight inches up the anus, and drawing in the wind, he affirmed he could make the guts as lank as a dried bladder. But when the disease was more stubborn and violent, he let in the muzzle while the bellows were full of wind, which he discharged into the body of the patient; then withdrew the instrument to replenish it, clapping his thumb strongly against the orifice of the fundament; and this being repeated three or four times, the adventitious wind would rush out, bringing the noxious along with it, (like water put into a pump,) and the patient recover."-Voyage to Laputa, Chap. V.

We have given here at full length the celebrated professor's method of cure, but Dr. O'Beirne has adopted only the former process, being most probably afraid of putting in practice the latter, and not, we must own, without reason; for we are told that the dog on which it was tried "died on the spot." At the same time (it is due to our readers to add) the excellent historian from whom we quote, asserts plainly, that he "could not discern any effect from the former process."-Rev.

rally does more harm than good. Even in scrofula, we doubt whether, as an internal agent, it effects nearly so much good as it is generally thought to do. Its external application as a counter-irritant is under many circumstances productive of benefit. But routine practitioners, with whom iodine, in its several forms, is a sort of panacea, very often (we speak from personal observation) apply it to joints affected with acute synovial inflammation. In fact, iodine is now so universally, so thoughtlessly, and indiscriminately employed in the treatment of almost all diseases, that, by a fate common to all over-praised remedies, it must needs fall, before many years shall have passed, into even unmerited neglect.

We have thus taken a survey, as it were, of 84 pages of Dr. Cogswell's Treatise. There still remain an equal number which are occupied in treating of the several preparations of iodine. These are severally considered, first, with reference to their physiological action, and, secondly, as regards their medicinal effects. The section which treats of the iodide of potassium, or the hydriodate of potash as it is generally called, extends from the 85th to the 117th page, both inclusive. It contains an excellent summary of all that is known on the subject, and is well worthy the attention of the reader.

There is in this part of the work a coloured plate, which represents the inflammatory results produced in the stomach of a rabbit, by the injection of a drachm of hydriodate of potash, dissolved in two drachms of water.

While on the subject of the hydriodate of potass, we may state that we have found it, in combination with tincture of iodine, diluted with water, prove a most efficient application in more than one of the worst forms of porrigo.

Of the remaining compounds of iodine we shall notice only one-the iodide of zinc, and that too solely for the purpose of remarking, that during the last six years we have occasionally employed it, with apparent advantage, in a variety of scrofulous affections. We were first led to do so by having noticed the marked efficacy of sulphate of zinc dissolved in distilled water, when used as an injection for scrofulous sinuses. It was an easy and a natural step to come to the resolution of trying zinc and iodine in combination. We have usually begun with one grain of the compound, dissolved in infusion of quassia, for a dose, and have never gone beyond three grains. But we dare say that if the medicine should ever come into general use, some very clever person will discover that a patient may take a drachm or more-without being killed by it.

During the last two years we have been in the habit of employing a strong solution of the iodide of zinc, as an application to the tonsillary glands, when affected with chronic enlargement; and we can recommend it to our readers as the best local remedy we know for that most obstinatę complaint.

There is attached to Dr. Cogswell's work an Appendix of nine closelyprinted pages, which contain several observations worthy the notice of the reader.

Our opinion of Dr. Cogswell's Treatise has been more than once expressed in the foregoing pages. In such a book, written, as it would appear, by one who had just completed his university studies, much original matter was not to be expected. But judicious selection, clear arrangement, and a

just proportioning of attention to the several parts of the subject-these it was not too much to look for in a work which had obtained the prize of the Harveian Society; nor have we looked for them in vain.

The style of a medical writer is only a matter of secondary consideration, unless when it is so obscure as to make the sense doubtful to readers of ordinary capacity. But in the case of young authors, it seems desirable to attach more importance to it, so that by early correction of any errors into which they may fall, they may come at length to write with both clearness and accuracy. We have no particular fault to find with Dr. Cogswell's style, except that the sentences are sometimes too long or too complicated. As an instance of the latter, we quote, almost at random, one from the Introduction, (page 12.)

"But, as we hinted above, and the fact will only become too manifest in the subsequent pages, from the experience of all parties, himself included, without paying the most scrupulous attention to the chemical habitudes of iodine, we shall constantly be liable to form erroneous or imperfect conclusions."

It is easy to perceive how the above sentence might have been made more intelligible, by separating in a more marked manner the parenthetical clause; but it would have been still better to have constructed it in a different and more simple manner. We make this piece of criticism (which, after all, is not worth much) in a good spirit, and we beg to take our leave of Dr. Cogswell by wishing him that success in his profession which his industry and talents seem to deserve.

A TREATISE ON INFLAMMATION. By James Macartney, M.D. F.R.S., &c. &c. &c. Quarto, pp. 214. Two Plates. Longman's, 1838.

Ir will probably appear a hazardous experiment to publish a work upon inflammation at present. The subject is so hackneyed as to excite little curiosity or attention, and few persons would conceive it possible that any man could advance new views of its nature, or new plans of any value in its management.

But Dr. Macartney's reputation will secure that notice which might otherwise be denied, and command a full audience and respectful attention whenever be addresses the profession. We may be satisfied that we shall meet with ingenuity and originality, and whether we are convinced or not, we are certain of pleasure and instruction.

Dr. Macartney tells us in a brief advertisement, that:

"The present Treatise contains the theory and practice, respecting the subject of inflammation, which I have taught during many years in my lectures on surgery. Its publication did not become necessary, until I had resigned my professorship in the University of Dublin, as I had annually the best means, perhaps, of promulgating and explaining my views in the form of lectures. The delay has been attended with the great advantage, of enabling me to verify and improve my early opinions, by a longer experience, and by the successful prac

tice of my pupils, who are now settled in every part of the United Kingdom and throughout our Colonies. Whatever the profession may think of the doctrines I have advanced on the subject of inflammation, the practice founded on them is at present established too extensively, and confirmed by the experience of too many individuals, to admit of controversy."

We shall run through these lectures, or this Essay, as rapidly as is consistent with justice both to the author and our readers. We shall content ourselves with noticing those parts that are either novel, or give some new turn or some striking confirmation to what has been familiar.

The work is divided into fourteen parts, or sections, in which Dr. Macartney discusses in succession-The History of Inflammation-Phenomena of Inflammation-The Real Consequences of Inflammation-The Reputed Consequences of Inflammation-The Different Modes of ReparationCicatrization-The Reparation of the Different Tissues-The Constitutional Causes of Inflammation-The Local Causes of Inflammation-The Proximate Cause of Inflammation-Species of Inflammation-Congestion as contradistinguished from Inflammation-The Remedies for Inflammation.

1. History of Inflammation.-Dr. Macartney presents a brief sketch of the different classes of animals, in reference to their liability to inflammation.

In those zoophytes which present no visible nerves, and a very simple nervous system, none of the phenomena of inflammation are exhibited.

Dr. Macartney alludes to the phenomena of reproduction in the articulata. The instances are numerous, the phenomena rather varied, and we do not perceive conclusive proof of the non-existence of inflammation in the class.

The class mollusca, says our author, do not seem to be capable of genuine inflammation.

Ascending to the vertebrata, Dr. Macartney does not believe it possible to produce the genuine effects of inflammation in either amphibia, or reptiles, or fishes.

"In conducting some experiments on the swimming-bag of fishes, I was surprised to find that the wounds made into the belly of the animals did not inflame. I was therefore curious to know what injuries fishes would bear without producing inflammation. Having taken some living fishes from the water, I introduced pieces of wire beneath the skin and amongst the muscles of the body; the fishes were then returned to the water, and on examining them several days afterwards, I found that no suppuration had taken place. The tracts of the wounds were pale and smooth, and only moistened with a serous fluid, and none of the usual appearances of inflammation were visible. A very common occurrence in fishes, is the existence of worms, which perforate the tunics of the alimentary canal, without producing any change of structure, except an increased vascularity around the perforations. The reproductive power of fishes is confined to their fins, which are sometimes regenerated after being lost by accident, or by a species of death which is quite different from that which is the consequence of inflammation in the higher classes of animals.

I have never seen any appearance of inflammation in reptiles after wounds or injuries. Serpents often lose a portion of their tail; and although there is no attempt made for its reproduction, it is very speedily cicatrized without inflammation. Some lizzards are able to reproduce parts that are lost, though not so

perfectly as in the lower classes of animals. When lizzards get a new tail, it wants the vertebræ. The salamander has more power of reproduction than any other of the class, being capable, according to the statement of many physiologists, of regenerating the tail, the limbs, and the lower jaw. I have seen imperfect attempts at the reproduction of the fingers and toes in the toad and frog. In all this class of animals, there is great tenacity of life, and power of repairing the effects of injury, though not always the ability of regenerating limbs. Having had occasion to make the experiment of removing a part of the brain of a toad, it became necessary to take away a considerable portion of the skull. The wound never seemed to inflame. In a very short time it was healed, and the vacancy in the skull was made up by a substance half cartilage and half bone, leaving, however, a depression, corresponding to the quantity of brain removed." 5.

In birds external mechanical injury produces indubitable inflammation; but the instances in which internal disorders become a cause of inflammation, are very limited, and are nearly confined to febrile states and particular epidemics.

Quadrupeds are subject to inflammation both from external injury and internal disorders; they usually, however, shew but little constitutional sympathy with local disease.

Man is especially prone to inflammation, as well as to constitutional and sympathetic disturbance.

Upon these data and premises, Dr. Macartney founds a much bolder hypothesis than will probably be suspected by our readers. This hypothesis contains the spirit of the book, and embodies the main fact, which its author endeavours to establish. Let him speak for himself.

"The history I have given of the effects of injury in the different classes of animals, proves that the powers of reparation and of reproduction are in proportion to the indisposition or incapacity for inflammation, and leads necessarily to the induction, that inflammation is so far from being necessary to the reparation of parts, that in proportion as it exists, the latter is impeded, retarded, or prevented, and that when inflammation does not exist, the reparative power is equivalent to the original tendency to produce and maintain organic form and structure; that it then becomes a natural function, like the growth of the individual or the reproduction of the species. I am aware that this opinion is opposed to universally received doctrines. The subject, I think, has never been fairly examined. The necessity of some degree of inflammation to the process of reparation has been supposed by the early surgeons, and has been received by the moderns without inquiry. The opinion arose in those rude ages of the art when nothing was trusted to nature, and when the treatment of every wound was such as to induce and maintain for a certain time the most severe inflammation. The ignorance of the ancients of the use of the ligature for suppressing hæmorrhage, led them to employ, instead of it, strong compression, and the actual cautery in cases of wounds and after amputation; and being accustomed to see wounds ultimately heal after such barbarous treatment, they naturally supposed that inflammation and all its evil consequences were necessary; which they took care to ensure in all cases, by boiling oils, hot and irritating ointments, tents, setons, and strict and cumbrous bandages." 7.

After proceeding to notice and partly to criticise the views of Mr. Hunter, and to point out inconsistencies between his doctrines and his facts, Dr. Macartney seizes on a passage in Sir Astley Cooper's lectures, as a fair point on which to try the issue-inflammation or no inflammation in the reparation of injuries.

“The doctrine," he observes, (that inflammation is necessary) "has been